Grace_Reyes_LMF

//Learning Motivation and Fun//
 //View// the assignment page //for a more detailed explanation of this project.

In this exercise, you'll collect data from our database of interviews about fun and learning. Use this template and the data to create 5 generalizations for what you observed. Your generalizations should answer the questions//
 * //What makes learning fun and engaging?//
 * //What are the implications for your own teaching and design work//

What are your 5 generalizations?

 * 1) Learners ages 2-9 reported a medium-high enthusiasm and energy in the teachers from their fun experiences.** Out of the learners surveyed in this age range, 72% recalled the enthusiasm from the teacher in their experience. According to one interview with Trevor, the teacher's enthusiasm for the subject and planning for the lesson made all the difference. He remembers "panning for gold in the playground and how he felt like he was in 1850". He also says that "this is the only experience I remember from elementary school" and a lot of it relies on enthusiasm and the hands-on physical activity that is listed in the following generalization.


 * 2) Young male learners need physical activity to keep them engaged and entertained.** It was a small audience to collect from but all of the males (three) who were ages 2-9 during their experience were reporting high physical activity. All three discussed the hands-on activity that really helped them to internalize and remember the experience. Adam summed it up for the boys saying, "Everything is fun to learn when you are a boy and you get to use your hands to learn."

65 out of the 89 females that were interviewed designated for humor to be a part of the experience from their teacher. I always expected humor to have a larger impact than I found in the interviews but the females still gave significant findings. Fina described the humor from her instructor and said that it helped her feel comfortable and welcome in the class. It allowed her to take more risks and feel okay if she made mistakes.
 * 3) Females appreciate humor from their teachers and it helps them learn and feel comfortable.**


 * 4) Peer interaction increases the learning and enjoyment to the experience.** One example came from Rose in her interview about learning multiplication tables in second grade. She mentioned that during the math rhythm game, you could collaborate with your neighbors if you didn't know the answer before the teacher completed a number of snaps with her fingers. She explains how this boosted her confidence with learning the facts and actually helped her to learn them faster. Out of all 161 LMF stories submitted, 132 reported peer interaction as a part of their experience. That is 82% of learners recollecting that peer interaction was a significant part of their memorable learning experience.


 * 5)** **Interest in the topic is important in learners over 19 years old.** Of the twenty LMF stories I viewed, 85%(17 total) mentioned having an interest in the topic prior to attending the class or learning the skill. Karen mentioned the class being fun and hands-on but the major factor was that she already had a "vested interest" in the topic. The generalization I take from this as an adult is that if I want to experience a great lesson, I need to attend sessions that I have an interest in and the teacher won't have too hard of a time keeping me interested and learning something new.

**Implications**
Completing this activity helped to reinforce some of the teaching strategies that I have been relying on in my career. I teach K-2 classes, students who are 5-7 years old, and during my classes I always have high energy, enthusiasm and try to be as humorous as possible for my students. I also have a lot of physical activities in my classroom but I think I need to integrate more physical movement and interaction in my lessons, especially for the boys.

The largest implication I am taking away from this activity is the generalization I found for number four, peer interaction. It is very apparent with overwhelming results how important peer interaction is for students have a lasting, fun learning experience.